How Not to Aerate Your Venue’s Lawn

Wedding Heel Protectors

Because you are not a garden tool.

Like many outdoor brides, I was worried about my heels sinking into the lawn. My wedding-day heels are four inches tall, so it was damn near impossible to find a pair of bridal-esque wedges that high to wear for the ceremony. (Trust me, I searched high and low for a pair that I even marginally liked.) I also couldn’t just wear flats (or shorter wedges) for the ceremony, because then my dress would be four inches too long. I was stuck with my heels, so I needed to figure out a way to make them work.

A lot of people have worn those SoleMate wedding heel protectors (in fact, Doe posted about them just a few weeks ago) with great success. But I was hesitant to try them, because a) they’re expensive for what they are, and b) I have heard mixed reviews, at best, about them. I was looking at them on Amazon one day and in the related products I saw something called Heels Above.

Heels Above are a similar concept—a little rubbery-plasticy thing you put on your heel to give it a wider surface area and prevent it from sinking—but they’re a bit different. The bottom surface area is about one inch across, so there is no freaking way you would be able to sink into the grass. One of the things I repeatedly heard in reviews of SoleMates was that they sometimes still don’t make the bottom of the heel wide enough to prevent sinking, which is why I thought that the Heels Above wedding heel protectors seemed like a better bet. Plus, the price was much better, and the reviews on Amazon were unanimously positive.

Mr. Wiz’s mom ordered two packs of them, and I got to try them out yesterday. I’m happy to report that I did not sink into the grass in any way, shape, or form—and this was in soaking-wet, raining-all-day, muddy, soft grass too. Success!

The one caveat with Heels Above is that they are not as discreet as SoleMates.

What they look like when you’re standing in the grass

Trying to demonstrate what it looks like when you’re taking a step and your heel is up in the air

Obviously in a floor-length wedding gown this isn’t an issue, but if you’re wearing a dress that shows your shoes, you may want to take that into consideration if you’re thinking about trying these. Other than that, I would recommend these things 100%.

Update: The Heels Above heel protectors ended up working great on our wedding day. And our photographer managed to get some great feet shots where you can’t see the heel protectors at all. See for yourself.

Requisite couple’s feet shot (no heel protectors in sight!)

My Heels Aboves in action, doing their job discreetly

Are you planning on using wedding heel protectors? Do you have any great must-have wedding-day products to recommend?

comments

I’m wearing flats for the whole day, so I haven’t tried these. I just have to comment because I *always* say I “don’t want to aerate the lawn” when I am talking about heels in grass, and I love that you sed that phrase too 🙂

I used an even less discreet option: a brand called Starlettos. They worked very well, and were not seen at all under my dress. My bridesmaids wore short dresses, and they wore them for photo-taking as well. Everyone loved them!

I had never heard of these or SoleMates before reading Weddingbee!!! It seems like the perfect invention because I know getting stuck in the grass is every girl’s nightmare!!! That’s why I was on the hunt for a thick heeled shoe… if only I knew about these little babies a few months ago =)

I just bought solemates for my best friend who got married two weeks ago and to use on my wedding day – I think they are such a great idea 🙂

Guest

Misswapiti, Guest
06/02/12 @ 10:25 am

I am so glad you posted this. I had the same dilemma. I searched for months for the perfect shoe and I finally did. My MOH kept telling me I should go with a wedge so that I wouldn’t sink into the grass. I’m so glad I decided to choose a cute shoe and deal with the rest later. Now, I have a solution! Thank you very much!!!

@Cheeks225: They fit great! The sock stretching, weird as it was, worked amazingly. I did the sock thing for a few weeks and have worn the shoes around the house now and then when I feel like it, and they fit perfectly now.

@sarahbabs: Hahaha no one ever knows what I mean when I say that, so that’s awesome that you say it too!

Guest

kelly, Guest
07/12/12 @ 8:51 pm

Do you think they would do anything in sand? Want to wear heels for the reception and the beach ceremony if possible. Or do you know of any other products that do

Guest

em, Guest
07/18/12 @ 6:36 pm

does anyone know if they leave marks on the shoes heel???

thx!!!

Guest

Dorothy, Guest
08/29/12 @ 8:40 am

Saw these (http://starlettos.com/index.php) online but they’re from Australia. Same concept but definitely more stylish than Heels Above. A little more expensive (exchange rate and all) but they not only prevents heels from sinking, but acts as a deco as well 🙂

Guest

Bethany, Guest
10/19/12 @ 3:26 pm

I was in an outdoor wedding a few weeks ago and we all bought something very similar to these. They did not work for us. We lost them in the grass and they slid up the heel instead of staying in place. It wasn’t this brand, so maybe these are better, but I would suggest trying them before the big day!!

@Allison: I don’t know for sure, but I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t! They’re quite sturdy, and they don’t have any kind of weight limits or anything listed. I’m sure they’re fine for women of all sizes 🙂

My sister bought me new heels protectors from TC for Shoes http://uk.tc-for-shoes.com/en/
I used one pair for my garden wedding this summer, a fashion model with a sparkling jewel. I could wear my biggest heels with a lot of confidence. Very comfortable and fashion!

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